Successful 2007 For Textile Machinery Manufacturers

Jürg Rupp, Executive Editor

The year 2007 was very successful for textile machinery manufacturers in the yarn- and
fabric-forming sectors. The general expansion of global textile machinery shipments that occurred
over the previous four to five years continued in 2007. Shipments of short-staple ring spindles,
and rotor and texturing spindles were up in 2007. Also, in the segment of weaving, more shuttleless
looms were shipped in 2007 compared to the previous year. Shipments of electronic flat knitting
machinery soared to new record levels. Only the segment of circular knitting machinery experienced
a decrease from previous record levels in 2005 and 2006.
Short-Staple SpinningThe year 2007 was another record year concerning shipments of short-staple spindles. A total
of 12.8 million short-staple spindles were shipped, an increase of 9 percent compared with 2006.
Asia was once more the dominant recipient of these shipments, accounting for 94 percent or 12.05
million spindles. Of these, China accounted for the largest share, 6.06 million or 47 percent;
followed by India, 3.74 million or 29 percent; Bangladesh, 606,000 or 5 percent; Vietnam, 530,000
or 4 percent; Turkey, 466,000 or 4 percent; and Indonesia, 429,000 or 3 percent.
Long-Staple SpinningGlobal shipment of long-staple spindles for wool dropped in 2007 to 148,000, a decrease of 19
percent compared to 2006. With a share of 52 percent or 77,800 spindles — a decrease of 23 percent
compared to 2006 — China remained the world’s primary destination; followed by Iran, 18,700, an
increase of 34 percent; Italy, 12,300, an increase of 40 percent; Turkey, 9,200, a decrease of 34
percent; and Poland, 7,000, an increase of 79 percent.

Global investments in open-end rotors jumped by 64 percent compared to 2006, to a new record
high totaling 576,000 positions, with 68 percent of all shipments destined for Asia. China received
292,000 rotors in 2007, reaching a global market share of 51 percent; followed by Turkey, 136,000,
an increase of 300 percent compared to 2006; India, 44,000, an increase of 33 percent; Bangladesh,
17,000, an increase of 81 percent; Russia, 12,800, an increase of 29 percent; Brazil, 11,800, an
increase of 19 percent; and Vietnam, 8,200, an increase of 41 percent.

TexturingTexturing machinery shipments of single heater draw-texturing spindles for polyamide filament
sank by 37 percent to 6,530 spindles in 2007. With 3,000 spindles or a 46-percent share, Italy was
the biggest investor, followed by China with 2,900 or a 44-percent share. After record years in
2004 and 2005, with 393,000 and 308,000 shipped spindles respectively, global shipments of double
heater draw-texturing spindles for polyester filament dropped in 2006 to 220,000 spindles. In 2007,
shipments increased again to 247,000, the third-largest quantity of shipped double heater spindles
ever. Again, China was the main destination, with 133,000 or a global share of 54 percent; followed
by India, 57,300 or 23 percent; Egypt, 9,400 or 4 percent; Malaysia, 5,300 or 2 percent; and Syria,
4,100 or 1.5 percent.

WeavingIn 2007, investments in shuttleless weaving machines recorded 68,200 units shipped — the
second-highest quantity after 71,100 units shipped in 2002. This represented an increase of 2
percent in comparison to the previous year. A total of 60,600 or 89 percent of all shuttleless
weaving machines were shipped to Asia. Country-wise, the major destinations of investments were
China, 46,200 or a 68-percent share; Bangladesh, 4,200 or 6 percent; India, 4,000 of 6 percent;
Turkey, 1,900 or 3 percent; Indonesia, 1,400 or 2 percent; Italy, 1,200 or 2 percent; and Pakistan,
1,100 or 1.5 percent.
Circular And Flat KnittingWith a total of 26,600 large circular knitting machines shipped in 2007, investments in this
segment dropped by 6 percent from 28,300 in the previous year. A total of 82 percent of all
machines were shipped to Asia. China invested in 18,000 new circular knitting machines for a global
share of 68 percent; followed by Turkey, 1,300 or 5 percent; India, 1,100 or 4 percent; Bangladesh,
900 or 3 percent; and the United States, 600 or 2 percent.

Some 21,800 electronic flat knitting machines were shipped during 2007, an increase of 58
percent compared to the previous year. A total of 91 percent of all shipments were destined for
Asia and 8 percent were shipped to Europe, including Turkey. With 12,200 or 56 percent, China
represented the biggest investor in electronic flat knitting machinery; followed by Hong Kong,
5,600 or 26 percent; Italy, 1,000 or 5 percent; and Cambodia and Turkey, each with 450 or 2
percent.